Posts Tagged ‘Paranormal romance’

First Contact (Haunts for Sale Series Book 1) by Kat Green
Published by The Wild Rose Press Inc on 1st June 2016
180 pages
Reviewed by Yvonne Davies

After her fiancé, Michael died, Sloane Osborne knew she had to see him again. With her love of paranormal and her job of selling haunted houses, she knew that one day she would meet him again. When a job came up a year and a day to his death she knew that this was the best time to get her wish. Travelling to Wisconsin to visit the house, she gets more than she bargains, but even after being warned can she stay away.
Throughout this book you could feel Sloane’s grief, you could sense that she really missed Michael. When her life was in danger, she showed how brave she was, however every now and again her vulnerability would peak through and you knew she just wanted to curl up and die. When she knew she needed help, there was only one person she calls, Jonah, Michael’s best friend and a FBI agent. The connection between Sloane and Jonah was strong and as the story progressed you learn more about their friendship. Thanks to Jonah’s gift of seeing dead people, he was handy to have around. When Sloane is introduced to the ghosts, its not pretty. Each girl relives their death and you understand how much pain they were in at the end.
The author has a gift for taking you in the wrong direction and builds the story to a dramatic climax making it a page turner. A good ending and I am eager to read the 2nd book Second Sight to see how much more trouble Sloane can get into

The Argeneau Vampires rule the world – well, not literally, but they are top players in all forms of modern industry – particularly blood banks.
In Lynsay Sand’s ever expanding world (this is book 25), the Argeneau family is governed by Lucian Argeneau who represents them on a council of immortals – nano engineered ‘vampires’ who are refugees from Atlantis – who need blood to stay at peak fitness level.
There are certain rules the immortals have to follow. To control population they are only allowed to turn one human in their long lives, this person normally being their life mate. They also survive on bagged blood, and eating ‘on the hoof’ or from the tap as it were, is only permitted in emergencies. The immortals can read and control others’ minds, unless drugged, but the single person they can’t hear is their future life mate.
During the last few books, immortals have been mysteriously disappearing. It was at the end of the last big where we had the big reveal – the name of the villain. So – SPOILERS HERE …
No surprise once you start reading – it’s Dr Dressler.
Dressler has invited celebrated chef Domitian to work for him on his island. Domitian is convinced his identity as an immortal is secure, so when a helicopter arrives he climbs on board but is immediately drugged.
Back on the island, police officer Sarita, is growing impatient waiting for a helicopter to take her to the mainland to see her grandmother who has had a fall.
Finally having enough, she storms into Dressler’s lab to find him, but finds a body cut in two instead: the torso strapped down on one small table, the legs strapped to another.
Dressler and his assistant walk in, use Sarita to help put the pieces of the tables back together, like a demented magician, pouring blood on the corpse until the pieces stitch back together to form a screaming, writhing man.
Two seconds later she’s drugged, unconscious, then waking up in the weirdest, white honeymoon paradise lodge stuck in the middle of the jungle island.
She’s alone.
But she won’t be for long.
In this, the 25th Argeneau novel, Sands again delivers a fun blend of romance, sexual chemistry, adventure, danger and humour.
Where it switches up though, is in the inhabitants of this mysterious island where Sarita finds herself imprisoned. Problem is, I just can’t tell you more! Because the surprise in store is worth it. Whole new story arcs will emerge I think, n the back of this book, and the end has another cliffhanger to potentially lead to more avenues.
I loved this book, and can’t wait to read the next one.
5/5

Right, things are a little complicated if you don’t know the series or haven’t read the previous books, but Singh drops in pieces of exposition during the first couple of chapters. So, I’m going to summarise the gist of it here for you.
This is the ninth book in the Guild Hunter series, a series in which an Archangel named Raphael is betrothed/mated (call it what you will) to his consort Elena. Raphael is in charge of New York, a city where angels, humans and vampires roam. Vampires are created by Archangels/angels, who repay the debt of saving their life and making them immortal, with a 100 years of servitude. Some angels can be brutal towards their ‘property’ indulging themselves in sexual torture, physical abuse and downright nastiness. But in the main, they are treated well, for instance, Montgomery was made by Raphael and works happily for him as a kind of butler/organiser/PA. He is also happily married to his partner of choice. Raphael is madly in love with his Elena (Guild Hunter-turned angel) who is the equivalent of a toddler in terms of angelic power. She returns his passion in spades. As for the Guild Hunters, they basically hunt ‘naughty’ vampires who runaway from their masters.
At this stage of the series, Elena is coming into her powers. This book is set two years after the events of the last book. Archangel Alexander awoke from ‘Sleep’ claiming back half of his lands from the current ruler Favashi. Cue tension and possible war. At the same time two years ago, after making zombie-ish creatures to try and take power, Lijuan was last seen disappearing into the distance (presumed not-dead due to her age) and there was the ‘cascade’, causing untold destruction and changes in the world hierarchy. Now, as Lijuan has been missing/dead for two years, a mysterious and ancient order of angels, the Luminata, call the Cardre of Archangels together to discuss the fate of Lijuan’s territory. But if she is not in ‘Sleep’ and is in fact alive, there will be eleven Archangels awake at the same time; with possibly deadly and disastrous consequences.
Elena is allowed to accompany Raphael to the compound but only as consort, so bringing her faithful guards with her is out of the question. So death is a very real possibility. Especially as her best friend Bluebell (Illium) will remain on duty in New York. He, too, is becoming a staggering angel in his own right. Thankfully though, she can take one of Raphael’s other ‘Seven’, Aodhan. Still bearing the dual scars from his time in hell, Aodhan has finally returned to art. Yet his creative side belies a clever, dangerous angel.
So, the trio set off in the skies to meet with the Luminata and the other Archangels and co.
When they get there, the architecture is stunning, as is the Morrocan scenery, bringing back all manner of memories for Elena about her mother. But something is not right at their lair. And lair is probably the best word for Lumia; for it feels more like another Archangel’s refuge than a pseudo-religious/mystic and peaceful land it pretends to be. The angels at Lumia ring alarm bells for Raphael, Elena and Aodhan. Secrets abound. Adding to this is the evidence of bloodlust attacks and the possibility that it could worsen, and the need for proof as to what has indeed happened to Lijuan.
When Elena visits the local town, it’s clear the villages are scared to death of angels – the question is ‘why?’.
Between various mysteries and story threads, Singh delivers an intricate sometimes confusing world build. If you’re new to the series, this isn’t the best book to start with, as it’s heavy on the politics and world build.
I love that Singh delivers multicultural societies in her novels, reflective of the world in which we live (without the mythical creatures that is) and she is brave enough to deal with Aodhan’s PTSD among other issues. However, I have to confess, of the series, it wasn’t my favourite, though it did give us a glimpse into Elena’s history, and the relationship between Raphael and his mother Caliane was explored.
Enjoyable, romantic and lots going on.
A solid 3.5/5

Tiffany is human brought up in a Vampire family. A successful businesswoman Tiffany sold her IT business to go and work for Christian in the world renowned V Clinic a fertility clinic for vampires. Tiffany has known Christian for most of her adult life and they both have feelings for each, but with daddy issues, different species and trouble in the clinic it does not look good for their relationship.

Due to issues in her childhood, Tiffany is a very hot headed independent woman. Wanting to protect her emotions she alienates herself from people, and hides behind her computer. Christian whilst a vampire is not your typical arrogant womaniser. Being a doctor his has compassion and always wants the best for people. Willing to make compromises he will do anything to get Tiffany. Once they realise they both have feelings for each other, Christian slowly breaks down Tiffany’s resistance and together they are stronger.

Written in two POVs makes the story seem more detailed and helps explains the history of the families and the reasons behind Tiffany’s issues. Whilst this book seems busy with so much going on, it is not confusing as the author explains everything in detail. Whilst I found it a slow start, the author kept my attention as there were twists and turns throughout. The pace picked up when the action started it was none stop. I found myself reading quicker as I wanted to find out who was doing all the damage. The final twist was ingenious and I would be very surprised if anyone guesses. With the story ended, I hope the author writes more about Tiffany and Christian as I would be interested to know more about Noah and Asa, Christian’s partners at the clinic. With romance and action this book will please a lot of paranormal lovers.

Alex is a successful model, younger sister of Joey a member of a famous boyband. Whilst getting a tattoo of an image that she keeps seeing in her dreams, she meets Victor, lead singer and future leader of his pack. Taking her on tour with him and being part of the band’s cover shots and videos, this would be a lot for a normal 17-year-old, but throw in supernatural beings and it has just got complicated.

Although Alex was from a famous family she was very down to earth. She was a sweet girl and was true to her friends. When she met Victor, she was still recovering after a nasty incident and you could tell the longer she spent with him, she was healing. Victor was very sure of himself and maybe that was the rock star image but he knew that he wanted Alex, but did not know why. Both of them were family orientated and both did not want to upset their families with any of their decisions. With both of them keeping secrets, it was a wonder that they even got together.

The author had a way of keeping your interest, with plenty of hints to Alex and Victor’s background, you need to read further into the story to find out if you were right, and whilst you may be part right in your musings, it is not till the end of the book that their true heritage is revealed. The back story of Alex’s past is explained in detail and you can understand why she is like she is and why her brother is so protective over her. The twists in the story makes you want to keep reading making it a quick read. Although one warning, this book ends on one of the biggest cliff-hanger I have read and I hope I do not have to wait to long for book 2. A must for all paranormal lover